Interview with Cecilia Collymore

Student Testimonial

Cecilia Collymore’s journey towards a career in the medical transcription field began over two years ago when she took a leap and enrolled in the medical transcription certificate program at the Medical Training Centre from January to August 2008. This decision proved quite rewarding for Cecilia as today she holds a distinction in Medical Transcription and is a Quality Lead at ACR Business Services Inc.

According to the former Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School student, medical transcription was a new initiative introduced by the Government of Barbados as a means of providing additional job opportunities for Barbadians. As a result, a Medical Training Centre was set up by TRSI, a medical transcription company from the United States, and Invest Barbados at Harbour Road, St. Michael. On hearing about the initiative, Cecilia had an immediate interest but was worried about how she would secure the finances necessary for her studies.  The Public Relations Officer of the training program was quite helpful in this regard, and referred her to the Student Revolving Loan Fund (SRLF).

Cecilia outlines that her experience with the SRLF was quite good. She points out that she was very impressed with the staff at the SRLF as everyone she came into contact with was very helpful and professional. Most of all Cecilia was happy that she was able to study in Barbados and remain with her family and friends while upgrading her qualifications.

She believes that the knowledge and skills acquired during the training program has done much to boost her confidence and made her more marketable professionally.  “After my training I was immediately accepted into a job. As a result of the exceptional training I have received, I am very confident in carrying out my duties. I am now equipped to work at any clinic or hospital as a Medical Transcriptionist,” she explains.

Asked whether she would recommend the SRLF to others interested in upgrading their qualifications, she quickly replied, “Most definitely! This is a very good program to assist students in financing their studies.” Cecilia was so impressed with the SRLF that she decided not keep it a secret. Instead, she shared her experience with her niece, who she outlines, was able to utilise the fund and get some much needed financial assistance during her studies at the University of the West Indies.